Portuguese · Everyday Verbs
"to find" in Portuguese: encontrar
encontrar
Note: also: achar
To find in Portuguese is encontrar. Say eu encontro and ontem encontrei. Achar is a synonym; keep encontrar in the sentence for this word.
Keys
Eu encontro as chaves embaixo do sofá.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce encontrar
Say it
eng-kon-TRAHR
/ẽ.kõ.ˈtɾaʁ/
eng-kon-TRAHR
"to find" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| encontrar | to find Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| eu encontro | I find First person. | First person. |
| encontrei | I found Past. | Past. |
| achar | to find / to think Synonym; related. | Synonym; related. |
How to use encontrar in real life
- 1Keys
Eu encontro as chaves embaixo do sofá.
I find the keys under the sofa.
Present.
- 2Market
Você encontra manga boa nesta feira?
Do you find good mangoes at this market?
Question.
- 3News
Ontem encontrei uma carteira no ônibus.
Yesterday I found a wallet on the bus.
Past.
Mistakes English speakers make with encontrar
Incorrect: Eu encontrar o caminho.
Correct: Eu encontro o caminho.
Conjugate: eu encontro, not the infinitive.
Incorrect: Eu acho as chaves (only).
Correct: Eu encontro as chaves.
For this headword, use encontrar/encontro; achar alone doesn’t count.
Good to know
Encontrar covers finding objects and meeting people (encontrar alguém). Achar often means think (eu acho que…). Keep the sense clear from context.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Looking for a pharmacy
ChatPal
Você encontra farmácia aberta agora?
Can you find an open pharmacy now?
You
Encontro uma na esquina da avenida.
I find one on the avenue corner.
ChatPal
Ótimo. Eu não encontrei no mapa.
Great. I didn’t find it on the map.
You
Vamos andando então.
Let’s walk then.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to find" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to find" in Portuguese
I find?
Eu encontro.
I found?
Eu encontrei.
Achar vs encontrar?
Both can mean find; use encontrar for this entry.
Do you find…?
Você encontra…?
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
